Single Master and Alternate Master Configurations
iSTAR eX Installation and Configuration Guide 2–9
Primary Communications Path 
The primary path is the first communication path that clusters use to establish 
communications with the host. The master is the only controller in a cluster 
that passes messages between the host and cluster members. 
Cluster members do not communicate with the host directly; they 
communicate with the host through the master. Connections are established 
in the following bottom-to-top order: 
 Cluster members are responsible for establishing connections with the 
master. 
 The master is responsible for establishing a connection with the host.
Cluster members are connected to the master only via a 10/100Base-T 
network connection. 
Figure 2.5 shows the primary path for cluster member A. 
Figure 2.5: The Primary Path
Host
Hub
1
4
3
2
Master
Cluster 
Member B
Ethernet
Network
Cluster 
Member A